A DNA Screen For All UK Neonates?

Around 5 days of age, all newborn UK babies get a heel prick blood test. The test screens for 9 serious health conditions, including cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anaemia and a lack of thyroid hormone etc. There are follow up tests for some of the identified conditions. Several bodies now advocate sequencing the whole genome of every UK neonate. They claim that this might detect up to 600 conditions, with potentials for beneficial intervention before 5 years of age. Genomics England consulted 130 members of the public online. The sample were found to be broadly supportive (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/jul/04/whole-genome-sequencing-of-all-uk-newborns-would-have-public-support). One must firstly say a sample size of 130 is tiny. Such a group is unlikely to be representative of the general public. The sample approved developing a more prevention-focused NHS (the scheme seemed to be 'sold' on this basis). They noted, however, that such DNA screening would require considerable psychological and emotional support for the babies and their parents. There are clearly many ethical challenges involved in setting up a DNA screen. The results might well cause unneccessary anxieties. Not all 600 conditions are currently treatable. It would also difficult to ensure that no participant (babies couldn't give informed consent) would be later disadvantaged by sharing data with commercial bodies (insurance companies, mortgage providers etc) or potential employers. A surprisingly high number of UK neonates also have dubious paternity. This information would also have to be protected. It must be assumed that some parents would not want their child screened.